Stranger Than Fiction: Deviant Magic

by Scott Colby

Samantha Brooks assumed the hardest things she'd have to face in life were college exams and her slowly fracturing family. Then her father found the world's most powerful magic in his silverware drawer. Forcibly relocated to the secret elven capitol city of Evitankari, Roger Brooks bravely faced down the manipulative Witch and an ancient demon lord and miraculously came out on top. The aftermath of that battle has left the elven government in ruins and the Brooks family in great danger. With few allies and even fewer friends, Roger turns to the only person he knows he can count his daughter. As Samantha tries to make sense of her new life in Evitankari and the shadowy forces swirling around her father, she finds herself facing down the real life inspirations for the characters in her favorite novel series. Are they friend or foe? The truth, as they say, is always so much stranger than fiction.

198 pages, Paperback

Published March 15, 2022

About the author

I’m Scott Colby, an author based in Somerville, MA. I write fantasy and science fiction stories.

My Deviant Magic contemporary fantasy series is an extended saga about breaking free from oppressive power structures. Set in a world much like ours, but with magic and fairy creatures hidden in the shadows of society, the series features strong themes of found family, anti-establishment misfits, and dark humor. It’s about flawed people standing up for themselves, the values they believe in, and the people they love. There are currently five books in the series, and the first three (A Date with Death, Shotgun, and Diary of a Fairy Princess) are standalone enough that they could be read in any order. Stranger Than Fiction and Vengeance Squad should be read last, and in that order.

The Black Yonnix series, meanwhile, is a swashbuckling pirate adventure set in a unique high fantasy world where music is magic. These novels are part of Outland Entertainment’s World of Pileaus. They’re light and fun, with plenty of banter, heroic shenanigans, and crazy creatures.

I’m also a freelance editor, a terrible softball player, a decent runner, and a solid cook. For more about me and my work or to sign up for my newsletter, visit www.devantmagic.com.

Reviews

[Leighton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Stranger by Fiction by Scott Colby is a fantasy novel with a unique premise. The story revolves around many characters, including father Roger Brooks and daughter Sam Brooks. They discover some sort of hidden magic, and they move to the secret elven city of Evitankari. Also, it turns out the four heroes in the realm decided to turn their life-stories of defeating evil into a bestselling series on Earth. Sam knows them as her favorite fictional heroes, but she had no idea they are real people.

Here is an interesting excerpt from the Prologue, when the four heroes are facing off against Kron, a villain:

"I did a service for the fairy queen," Lazzy replied, undeterred, "and in return she granted me this blessing: As long as she who loves me most is by my side, evil shall do me no harm!"
Kron's malicious yellow smile made them all flinch. "Is that so?"
"Yes!" Lazzy shouted. "Keighlan and I love each other! You have no power over us, you evil bastard!"
...
"K," Lazzy said softly, "what's wrong?"
Keighlan's face flushed and tears streamed down her cheeks. "Damn it, Lazarus!" she snapped. "I don't love you!"

Overall, Stranger by Fiction is a unique fantasy novel that will attract you with its unique and original plot. I don't think I've heard anything like it. Also, look at that gorgeous cover! Props to the artist, who clearly knows what they're doing. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy reading this book. I took off 3 stars, because there were too many characters and plotlines for me to keep track of. One-third of the way through the book, I realized that I had no idea what was going on and where the plot was going. If you're intrigued by the excerpt, you can check out this book, which is available now.

[Paz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fourth book in the Deviant Magic series is a little different that the first three. This one is more a mystery book than an action one, so it has a slower rhythm than the other three, but it's still written with the same sense of humor and irreverence and it's full of surprises, as usual. All in all, a good reading.

[Annarella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even if there's a lot of potential I didn't care for the characters and the story fell flat.
Not my cup of tea
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Aaron Eichler · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent, I now understand what is going on. It pulled characters from books one and two, but a few years have passed since them.